Fibre Extrusion Technology Ltd (FET) - Proof of Concept - Novel Process for Suture Manufacture

使用FET设备的国际客户告诉我们，他们正在寻求合成可吸收缝合线的产品和工艺改进。FET正在单独改进产品性能，现在看到了解决工艺改进的机会，从而可能为FET和客户带来互利。传统的纺织编织和浸渍涂层工艺用于生产缝合线是缓慢的，劳动和能源密集型的，并且当缝合线由可吸收的聚合物制成时，这种聚合物是出了名的昂贵和难以处理。我们的想法是用一种新的方法来制造一种新的合成可吸收缝线，这种缝线由多丝前驱丝制成，涉及一种新的结构，取代传统的编织和浸涂工艺。所提出的方法旨在简化制造过程，降低成本和过程中退化的风险。我们希望以167,163英镑的成本在概念验证项目中测试这种新制造方法的概念，并在内部或可以获得获得在此类项目中取得成功所需的专业知识，但需要财政援助以避免现金流限制并在18个月内完成工作。经过验证的概念将使我们能够进一步开发并向客户展示一种高效制造方法的潜力，并改善碳足迹。成功的项目成果将带来知识产权，通过进一步的开发工作将缝合应用商业化，在2019/21年期间，FET可能以定制设备销售、工艺许可或专有技术的形式实现约400万英镑的收入。该技术在非医疗领域的衍生用途以及作为对难加工/昂贵原材料进行小规模评估的实验工具有潜在的好处。

International customers using FET equipment tell us that they are seeking improvements inproduct and process for synthetic absorbable sutures. FET is working separately on improvedproduct properties and now sees an opportunity to address process improvements topotentially deliver mutual benefits to both FET and its customers.The traditional textile braiding and dip coating processes used to produce sutures are slow,labour and energy intensive and have other disadvantages which are compounded when thesuture is made from absorbable polymers, which are notoriously expensive and difficult tohandle.We have ideas for a novel method of manufacture of a new synthetic absorbable suture madefrom multifilament precursor yarns involving a new construction which replaces conventionalbraiding and dip coating processes. The proposed method is designed to simplify themanufacturing process, reducing costs and the risks of in-process degradation.We wish to test the concept of such a new manufacturing method in a Proof of ConceptProject at a cost of £167,163 and have in-house, or can obtain, access to the necessaryexpertise to succeed in such a project, but need financial assistance to avoid cash flowlimitations and complete the work within an 18 month time frame.A proven concept will allow us to further develop and show customers the potential for amore efficient method of manufacture, with an improved carbon footprint.A successful project outcome will deliver IP, which, pursued by further development work tocommercialise for suture applications, could realise some £4m income to FET in the period2019/21 in the form of customised equipment sales, process licensing or know how. There arepotential benefits from spin off uses for the technology in non - medical areas and as anexperimental tool for small scale evaluation of difficult-to process / expensive raw materials.